Family-Based Tag-Rugby: Acute Effects on Risk Factors for Cardiometabolic Disease and Cognition and Factors Affecting Family Enjoyment and Feasibility

Background/Objectives: Physical inactivity is associated with increased cardiometabolic disease risk and poor cognition in children and their parents. Family-based physical activity offers an opportunity for children and their parents to engage in physical activity concurrently. The present study examined the effect of an acute bout of family-based tag-rugby on risk factors for cardiometabolic disease and cognition in families. Additionally, this study qualitatively explored families’ perceptions of enjoyment, and factors affecting implementation with considerations for socioeconomic status. Methods: Sixteen families (27 children, 20 parents) participated in an exercise (45-min family-based tag-rugby) and resting control trial (45-min seated rest), separated by 7-d. Postprandial gylcaemia, insulinaemia, lipaemia and cognitive function were measured following exercise/rest. Families also participated in whole-family focus groups and separate parent and child interviews. Results: In parents, postprandial plasma insulin concentrations were lower on the exercise trial than the rested control trial at 30-min (p = 0.004) and 120-min following the consumption of a standardised lunch (p = 0.011). In children, a significant trial*time interaction for inverse efficiency scores on the Sternberg Paradigm (3-item) was exhibited (p = 0.016). In parents, a significant trial*time interaction for inverse efficiency score on the Stroop Congruent test was exhibited (trial*time interaction; p = 0.012), whereby inverse efficiency scores improved immediately post-exercise when compared with the rested control trial (p = 0.016). Qualitatively, families from all socioeconomic backgrounds agreed that tag-rugby is an inclusive, enjoyable mode of physical activity that families want to participate in together, which can be adapted to overcome the barriers associated with cost of and access to local facilities. Conclusions: An acute bout of tag-rugby improved postprandial insulin concentrations in parents, and cognitive function in children and their parents. Tag-rugby was deemed an appropriate exercise modality for families from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds.